Diversity receiver configurations with wide-band downstream amplifiers

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are configurations and devices for amplifying radio-frequency signals. The devices and configurations include using a wide-band or tunable downstream amplifier to amplify signals in a downstream or back-end module. The signals are first filtered and amplified by an upstream or front-end module that receives a diversity signal from a diversity antenna.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/283,695, filed Feb. 22, 2019 and entitled IMPROVING RADIO-FREQUENCYMODULE PERFORMANCE USING BANDPASS FILTERS, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/101,402 filed Aug. 11, 2018 andentitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER CONFIGURATION WITH COMPLEMENTARY AMPLIFIERSTO SUPPORT CARRIER AGGREGATION, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/735,482 filed Jun. 10, 2015 entitled DIVERSITYRECEIVER FRONT END SYSTEM WITH POST-AMPLIFIER FILTERS, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/073,043 filed Oct. 31,2014, entitled DIVERSITY RECEIVER FRONT END SYSTEM, and to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/077,894, filed Nov. 10, 2014, entitledDIVERSITY RECEIVER ARCHITECTURE HAVING PRE AND POST LNA FILTERS FORSUPPORTING CARRIER AGGREGATION, the disclosures of each of which arehereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety forall purposes.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communicationsystems having one or more diversity receiving antennas.

Description of the Related Art

In wireless communication applications, size, cost, and performance areexamples of factors that can be important for a given product. Forexample, to increase performance, wireless components such as adiversity receive antenna and associated circuitry are becoming morepopular.

In many radio-frequency (RF) applications, a diversity receive antennais placed physically far from a primary antenna. When both antennas areused at once, a transceiver can process signals from both antennas inorder to increase data throughput.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some implementations, the present disclosure relatesto a receiving system including a controller configured to selectivelyactivate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a firstmultiplexer and an output of a second multiplexer. The receiving systemcan include a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality ofamplifiers can be disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality ofpaths and can be configured to amplify a signal received at theamplifier. The receiving system can include a first plurality ofbandpass filters. Each one of the first plurality of bandpass filterscan be disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths atan output of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers and canbe configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to arespective frequency band.

In some embodiments, the receiving system can further include a secondplurality of bandpass filters. Each one of the second plurality ofbandpass filters can be disposed along a corresponding one of theplurality of paths at an input of a corresponding one of the pluralityof amplifiers and can be configured to filter a signal received at thebandpass filter to a respective frequency band.

In some embodiments, one of the first plurality of bandpass filtersdisposed along a first path and one of the second plurality of bandpassfilters disposed along the first path can be complementary. In someembodiments, one of the bandpass filters disposed along the first pathcan attenuate frequencies below the respective frequency band more thanfrequencies above the respective frequency band and another of thebandpass filters disposed along the first path can attenuate frequenciesabove the respective frequency band more than frequencies below therespective frequency band.

In some embodiments, the receiving system can further include atransmission line coupled to the output of the second multiplexer andcoupled to a downstream module including a downstream multiplexer. Insome embodiments, the downstream module does not include a downstreambandpass filter. In some embodiments, the downstream multiplexerincludes a sample switch. In some embodiments, the downstream module caninclude one or more downstream amplifiers. In some embodiments, a numberof the one or more downstream amplifiers can be less than a number ofthe plurality of amplifiers.

In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of amplifiers caninclude a low-noise amplifier.

In some embodiments, the receiving system can further include one ormore tunable matching circuits disposed at one or more of the input ofthe first multiplexer and the output of the second multiplexer.

In some embodiments, the controller can be configured to selectivelyactivate the one or more of the plurality of paths based on a bandselect signal received by the controller. In some embodiments, thecontroller can be configured to selectively activate the one or more ofthe plurality of paths by transmitting a splitter control signal to thefirst multiplexer and a combiner control signal to the secondmultiplexer.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to aradio-frequency (RF) module that includes a packaging substrateconfigured to receive a plurality of components. The RF module furtherincludes a receiving system implemented on the packaging substrate. Thereceiving system includes a controller configured to selectivelyactivate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a firstmultiplexer and an output of a second multiplexer. The receiving systemfurther includes a plurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality ofamplifiers can be disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality ofpaths and can be configured to amplify a signal received at theamplifier. The receiving system further includes a first plurality ofbandpass filters. Each one of the first plurality of bandpass filterscan be disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths atan output of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers and canbe configured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to arespective frequency band.

In some embodiments, the RF module can be a diversity receiver front-endmodule (FEM).

In some embodiments, the receiving system can further include a secondplurality of bandpass filters. Each one of the second plurality ofbandpass filters can be disposed along a corresponding one of theplurality of paths at an input of a corresponding one of the pluralityof amplifiers and can be configured to filter a signal received at thebandpass filter to a respective frequency band.

In some embodiments, the plurality of paths can include an off-modulepath including an off-module bandpass filter and one of the plurality ofamplifiers.

According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to awireless device that includes a first antenna configured to receive afirst radio-frequency (RF) signal. The wireless device further includesa first front-end module (FEM) in communication with the first antenna.The first FEM including a packaging substrate configured to receive aplurality of components. The first FEM further includes a receivingsystem implemented on the packaging substrate. The receiving systemincludes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more ofa plurality of paths between an input of a first multiplexer and anoutput of a second multiplexer. The receiving system further includes aplurality of amplifiers. Each one of the plurality of amplifiers can bedisposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths and can beconfigured to amplify a signal received at the amplifier. The receivingsystem further includes a first plurality of bandpass filters. Each oneof the first plurality of bandpass filters can be disposed along acorresponding one of the plurality of paths at an output of acorresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers and can be configuredto filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to a respectivefrequency band. The wireless device further includes a communicationsmodule configured to receive a processed version of the first RF signalfrom the output via a transmission line and generate data bits based onthe processed version of the first RF signal.

In some embodiments, the wireless device further includes a secondantenna configured to receive a second radio-frequency (RF) signal and asecond FEM in communication with the second antenna. The communicationsmodule can be configured to receive a processed version of the second RFsignal from an output of the second FEM and generate the data bits basedon the processed version of the second RF signal.

In some embodiments, the receiving system further includes a secondplurality of bandpass filters. Each one of the second plurality ofbandpass filters can be disposed along a corresponding one of theplurality of paths at an input of a corresponding one of the pluralityof amplifiers and can be configured to filter a signal received at thebandpass filter to a respective frequency band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a wireless device having a communications module coupled toa primary antenna and a diversity antenna.

FIG. 2 shows a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration including a DRxfront-end module (FEM).

FIG. 3 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver (DRx)configuration may include a DRx module with multiple paths correspondingto multiple frequency bands.

FIG. 4A shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiverconfiguration may include a diversity receiver (DRx) module having aplurality of bandpass filters disposed at the outputs of a plurality ofamplifiers.

FIG. 4B shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiverconfiguration may include a diversity RF module with fewer amplifiersthan a diversity receiver (DRx) module.

FIG. 5 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiverconfiguration may include a DRx module coupled to an off-module filter.

FIG. 6 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiverconfiguration may include a DRx module with tunable matching circuits.

FIG. 7 depicts a module having one or more features as described herein.

FIG. 8 depicts a wireless device having one or more features describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The headings provided herein, if any, are for convenience only and donot necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

FIG. 1 shows a wireless device 100 having a communications module 110coupled to a primary antenna 130 and a diversity antenna 140. Thecommunications module 110 (and its constituent components) may becontrolled by a controller 120. The communications module 110 includes atransceiver 112 that is configured to convert between analogradio-frequency (RF) signals and digital data signals. To that end, thetransceiver 112 may include a digital-to-analog converter, ananalog-to-digital converter, a local oscillator for modulating ordemodulating a baseband analog signal to or from a carrier frequency, abaseband processor that converts between digital samples and data bits(e.g., voice or other types of data), or other components.

The communications module 110 further includes an RF module 114 coupledbetween the primary antenna 130 and the transceiver 112. Because the RFmodule 114 may be physically close to the primary antenna 130 to reduceattenuation due to cable loss, the RF module 114 may be referred to asfront-end module (FEM). The RF module 114 may perform processing on ananalog signal received from the primary antenna 130 for the transceiver112 or received from transceiver 112 for transmission via the primaryantenna 130. To that end, the RF module 114 may include filters, poweramplifiers, band select switches, matching circuits, and othercomponents. Similarly, the communications module 110 includes adiversity RF module 116 coupled between the diversity antenna 140 andthe transceiver 112 that performs similar processing.

When a signal is transmitted to the wireless device, the signal may bereceived at both the primary antenna 130 and the diversity antenna 140.The primary antenna 130 and diversity antenna 140 may be physicallyspaced apart such that the signal at the primary antenna 130 anddiversity antenna 140 is received with different characteristics. Forexample, in one embodiment, the primary antenna 130 and diversityantenna 140 may receive the signal with different attenuation, noise,frequency response, or phase shift. The transceiver 112 may use both ofthe signals with different characteristics to determine data bitscorresponding to the signal. In some implementations, the transceiver112 selects from between the primary antenna 130 and the diversityantenna 140 based on the characteristics, such as selecting the antennawith the highest signal-to-noise ratio. In some implementations, thetransceiver 112 combines the signals from the primary antenna 130 andthe diversity antenna 140 to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of thecombined signal. In some implementations, the transceiver 112 processesthe signals to perform multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO)communication.

Because the diversity antenna 140 is physically spaced apart from theprimary antenna 130, the diversity antenna 140 is coupled to thecommunications module 110 by a transmission line 135, such as a cable ora printed circuit board (PCB) trace. In some implementations, thetransmission line 135 is lossy and attenuates the signal received at thediversity antenna 140 before it reaches the communications module 110.Thus, in some implementations, as described below, gain is applied tothe signal received at the diversity antenna 140. The gain (and otheranalog processing, such as filtering) may be applied by a diversityreceiver module. Because such a diversity receiver module may be locatedphysically close to the diversity antenna 140, it may be referred to adiversity receiver front-end module. In contrast, the diversity RFmodule 116, coupled to the diversity antenna 140 via the transmissionline 135, may be referred to as a back-end module or a downstreammodule.

FIG. 2 shows a diversity receiver (DRx) configuration 200 including aDRx front-end module (FEM) 210. The DRx configuration 200 includes adiversity antenna 140 that is configured to receive a diversity signaland provide the diversity signal to the DRx FEM 210. The DRx FEM 210 isconfigured to perform processing on the diversity signal received fromthe diversity antenna 140. For example, the DRx FEM 210 may beconfigured to filter the diversity signal to one or more activefrequency bands, e.g., as indicated by the controller 120. As anotherexample, the DRx FEM 210 may be configured to amplify the diversitysignal. To that end, the DRx FEM 210 may include filters, low-noiseamplifiers, band select switches, matching circuits, and othercomponents.

The DRx FEM 210 transmits the processed diversity signal via atransmission line 135 to the diversity RF (D-RF) module 116, which feedsa further processed diversity signal to the transceiver 112. Thediversity RF module 116 (and, in some implementations, the transceiver112), is controlled by the controller 120. In some implementations thecontroller 120 may be implemented within the transceiver 112.

FIG. 3 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiver (DRx)configuration 300 may include a DRx module 310 with multiple pathscorresponding to multiple frequency bands. The DRx configuration 300includes a diversity antenna 140 configured to receive a diversitysignal. In some implementations, the diversity signal may be asingle-band signal including data modulated onto a single frequencyband. In some implementations, the diversity signal may be a multi-bandsignal (also referred to as an inter-band carrier aggregation signal)including data modulated onto multiple frequency bands.

The DRx module 310 has an input that receives the diversity signal fromthe diversity antenna 140 and an output that provides a processeddiversity signal to the transceiver 330 (via the transmission line 135and the diversity RF module 320). The DRx module 310 input feeds into aninput of first multiplexer (MUX) 311. The first multiplexer 311 includesa plurality of multiplexer outputs, each corresponding to a path betweenthe input and the output of the DRx module 310. Each of the paths maycorrespond to a respective frequency band. The DRx module 310 output isprovided by the output of second multiplexer 312. The second multiplexer312 includes a plurality of multiplexer inputs, each corresponding toone of the paths between the input and the output of the DRx module 310.

The frequency bands may be cellular frequency bands, such as UMTS(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) frequency bands. Forexample, a first frequency band may be UMTS (Universal MobileTelecommunications System) downlink or “Rx” Band 2, between 1930megahertz (MHZ) and 1990 MHz, and a second frequency band may be UMTSdownlink or “Rx” Band 5, between 869 MHz and 894 MHz. Other downlinkfrequency bands may be used, such as those described below in Table 1 orother non-UMTS frequency bands.

In some implementations, the DRx module 310 includes a DRx controller302 that receives signals from the controller 120 (also referred to as acommunications controller) and, based on the received signals,selectively activates one or more of the plurality of paths between theinput and the output. In some implementations, the DRx module 310 doesnot include a DRx controller 302 and the controller 120 selectivelyactivates the one or more of the plurality of paths directly.

As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is asingle-band signal. Thus, in some implementations, the first multiplexer311 is a single-pole/multiple-throw (SPMT) switch that routes thediversity signal to one of the plurality of paths corresponding to thefrequency band of the single-band signal based on a signal received fromthe DRx controller 302. The DRx controller 302 may generate the signalbased on a band select signal received by the DRx controller 302 fromthe communications controller 120. Similarly, in some implementations,the second multiplexer 312 is a SPMT switch that routes the signal fromthe one of the plurality of paths corresponding to the frequency band ofthe single-band signal based on a signal received from the DRxcontroller 302.

As noted above, in some implementations, the diversity signal is amulti-band signal. Thus, in some implementations, the first multiplexer311 is a band splitter that routes the diversity signal to two or moreof the plurality of paths corresponding to the two or more frequencybands of the multi-band signal based on a splitter control signalreceived from the DRx controller 302. The function of the band splittermay be implemented as a SPMT switch, a diplexer filter, or somecombination of these. A diplexer may be replaced with a triplexer, aquadplexer, or any other multiplexer configured to split an input signalreceived at the input of the DRx module 310 into a plurality of signalsat a respective plurality of frequency bands propagated along aplurality of paths.

Similarly, in some implementations, the second multiplexer 312 is a bandcombiner that combines the signals from the two or more of the pluralityof paths corresponding to the two or more frequency bands of themulti-band signal based on a combiner control signal received from theDRx controller 302. The function of the band combiner may be implementedas a SPMT switch, a diplexer filter, or some combination of these. TheDRx controller 302 may generate the splitter control signal and thecombiner control signal based on a band select signal received by theDRx controller 302 from the communications controller 120.

Thus, in some implementations, the DRx controller 302 is configured toselectively activate one or more of the plurality of paths based on aband select signal received by the DRx controller 302 (e.g., from thecommunications controller 120). In some implementations, the DRxcontroller 302 is configured to selectively activate one or more of theplurality of paths by transmitting a splitter control signal to a bandsplitter and a combiner control signal to a band combiner.

The DRx module 310 includes a plurality of bandpass filters 313 a-313 d.Each one of the bandpass filters 313 a-313 d is disposed along acorresponding one of the plurality of paths and configured to filter asignal received at the bandpass filter to the respective frequency bandof the one of the plurality of paths. In some implementations, thebandpass filters 313 a-313 d are further configured to filter a signalreceived at the bandpass filter to a downlink frequency sub-band of therespective frequency band of the one of the plurality of paths. The DRxmodule 310 includes a plurality of amplifiers 314 a-314 d. Each one ofthe amplifiers 314 a-314 d is disposed along a corresponding one of theplurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received at theamplifier.

In some implementations, the amplifiers 314 a-314 d are narrowbandamplifiers configured to amplify a signal within the respectivefrequency band of the path in which the amplifier is disposed. In someimplementations, the amplifiers 314 a-314 d are controllable by the DRxcontroller 302. For example, in some implementations, each of theamplifiers 314 a-314 d includes an enable/disable input and is enabled(or disabled) based on an amplifier enable signal received at theenable/disable input. The amplifier enable signal may be transmitted bythe DRx controller 302. Thus, in some implementations, the DRxcontroller 302 is configured to selectively activate one or more of theplurality of paths by transmitting an amplifier enable signal to one ormore of the amplifiers 314 a-314 d respectively disposed along the oneor more of the plurality of paths. In such implementations, rather thanbeing controlled by the DRx controller 302, the first multiplexer 311may be a band splitter that routes the diversity signal to each of theplurality of paths and the second multiplexer 312 may be a band combinerthat combines the signals from each of the plurality of paths. However,in implementations in which the DRx controller 302 controls the firstmultiplexer 311 and second multiplexer 312, the DRX controller 302 mayalso enable (or disable) particular amplifiers 314 a-314 d, e.g., tosave battery.

In some implementations, the amplifiers 314 a-314 d are variable-gainamplifiers (VGAs). Thus, the some implementations, the DRx module 310includes a plurality of variable-gain amplifiers (VGAs), each one of theVGAs disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of paths andconfigured to amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gaincontrolled by an amplifier control signal received from the DRxcontroller 302.

The gain of a VGA may be bypassable, step-variable,continuously-variable. In some implementations, at least one of the VGAsincludes a fixed-gain amplifier and a bypass switch controllable by theamplifier control signal. The bypass switch may (in a first position)close a line between an input of the fixed-gain amplifier to an outputof fixed-gain amplifier, allowing a signal to bypass the fixed-gainamplifier. The bypass switch may (in a second position) open the linebetween the input and the output, passing a signal through thefixed-gain amplifier. In some implementations, when the bypass switch isin the first position, the fixed-gain amplifier is disabled or otherwisereconfigured to accommodate the bypass mode.

In some implementations, at least one of the VGAs includes astep-variable gain amplifier configured to amplify the signal receivedat the VGA with a gain of one of plurality of configured amountsindicated by the amplifier control signal. In some implementations, atleast one of the VGAs includes a continuously-variable gain amplifierconfigured to amplify a signal received at the VGA with a gainproportional to the amplifier control signal.

In some implementations, the amplifiers 314 a-314 d are variable-currentamplifiers (VCAs). The current drawn by a VCA may be bypassable,step-variable, continuously-variable. In some implementations, at leastone of the VCAs includes a fixed-current amplifier and a bypass switchcontrollable by the amplifier control signal. The bypass switch may (ina first position) close a line between an input of the fixed-currentamplifier to an output of fixed-current amplifier, allowing a signal tobypass the fixed-current amplifier. The bypass switch may (in a secondposition) open the line between the input and the output, passing asignal through the fixed-current amplifier. In some implementations,when the bypass switch is in the first position, the fixed-currentamplifier is disabled or otherwise reconfigured to accommodate thebypass mode.

In some implementations, at least one of the VCAs includes astep-variable current amplifier configured to amplify the signalreceived at the VCA by drawing a current of one of plurality ofconfigured amounts indicated by the amplifier control signal. In someimplementations, at least one of the VCAs includes acontinuously-variable current amplifier configured to amplify a signalreceived at the VCA by drawing a current proportional to the amplifiercontrol signal.

In some implementations, the amplifiers 314 a-314 d are fixed-gain,fixed-current amplifiers. In some implementations, the amplifiers 314a-314 d are fixed-gain, variable-current amplifiers. In someimplementations, the amplifiers 314 a-314 d are variable-gain,fixed-current amplifiers. In some implementations, the amplifiers 314a-314 d are variable-gain, variable-current amplifiers.

In some implementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifiercontrol signal(s) based on a quality of service metric of an inputsignal received at the input of the first multiplexer 311. In someimplementations, the DRx controller 302 generates the amplifier controlsignal(s) based on a signal received from the communications controller120, which may, in turn, be based on a quality of service (QoS) metricof the received signal. The QoS metric of the received signal may bebased, at least in part, on the diversity signal received on thediversity antenna 140 (e.g., an input signal received at the input). TheQoS metric of the received signal may be further based on a signalreceived on a primary antenna. In some implementations, the DRxcontroller 302 generates the amplifier control signal(s) based on a QoSmetric of the diversity signal without receiving a signal from thecommunications controller 120.

In some implementations, the QoS metric includes a signal strength. Asanother example, the QoS metric may include a bit error rate, a datathroughput, a transmission delay, or any other QoS metric.

As noted above, the DRx module 310 has an input that receives thediversity signal from the diversity antenna 140 and an output thatprovides a processed diversity signal to the transceiver 330 (via thetransmission line 135 and the diversity RF module 320). The diversity RFmodule 320 receives the processed diversity signal via the transmissionline 135 and performs further processing. In particular, the processeddiversity signal is split or routed by a diversity RF multiplexer 321(also referred to as a downstream multiplexer) to one or more paths onwhich the split or routed signal is filtered by corresponding bandpassfilters 323 a-323 d (also referred to as downstream bandpass filters)and amplified by corresponding amplifiers 324 a-324 d (also referred toas downstream amplifiers). The output of each of the amplifiers 324a-324 d is provided to the transceiver 330.

The diversity RF multiplexer 321 may be controlled by the controller 120(either directly or via or an on-chip diversity RF controller) toselectively activate one or more of the paths. Similarly, the amplifiers324 a-324 d may be controlled by the controller 120. For example, insome implementations, each of the amplifiers 324 a-324 d includes anenable/disable input and is enabled (or disabled) based on an amplifierenable signal. In some implementations, the amplifiers 324 a-324 d arevariable-gain amplifiers (VGAs) that amplify a signal received at theVGA with a gain controlled by an amplifier control signal received fromthe controller 120 (or an on-chip diversity RF controller controlled bythe controller 120). In some implementations, the amplifiers 324 a-324 dare variable-current amplifiers (VCAs).

With the DRx module 310 added to the receiver chain already includingthe diversity RF module 320, the number of bandpass filters in the DRxconfiguration 300 is doubled. Thus, in some implementations as describedfurther below, bandpass filters 323 a-323 d are not included in thediversity RF module 320.

In some implementations, the bandpass filters 323 a-323 d (as describedbelow, e.g., with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B), are relocated to the DRxmodule 310. In some implementations, the bandpass filters 313 a-313 d ofthe DRx module 310 alone are used to reduce the strength of out-of-bandblockers. Further, the automatic gain control (AGC) table of thediversity RF module 320 may be shifted to reduce the amount of gainprovided by the amplifiers 324 a-324 d of the diversity RF module 320 bythe amount of the gain provided by the amplifiers 314 a-314 d of the DRxmodule 310.

For example, if the DRx module gain is 15 dB and the receiversensitivity is −100 dBm, the diversity RF module 320 will see −85 dBm ofsensitivity. If the closed-loop AGC of the diversity RF module 320 isactive, its gain will drop by 15 dB automatically. However, both signalcomponents and out-of-band blockers are received amplified by 15 dB.Thus, in some implementations, the 15 dB gain drop of the diversity RFmodule 320 is accompanied by a 15 dB increase in its linearity. Inparticular, the amplifiers 324 a-324 d of the diversity RF module 320may be designed such that the linearity of the amplifiers increases withreduced gain (or increased current).

In some implementations, the controller 120 controls the gain (and/orcurrent) of the amplifiers 314 a-314 d of the DRx module 310 and theamplifiers 324 a-324 d of the diversity RF module 320. As in the exampleabove, the controller 120 may reduce an amount of gain provided by theamplifiers 324 a-324 d of the diversity RF module 320 in response toincreasing an amount of gain provided by the amplifiers 314 a-314 d ofthe DRx module 310. Thus, in some implementations, the controller 120 isconfigured to generate a downstream amplifier control signal (for theamplifiers 324 a-324 d of the diversity RF module 320) based on theamplifier control signal (for the amplifiers 314 a-314 d of the DRxmodule 310) to control a gain of one or more downstream amplifiers 324a-324 d coupled to the output (of the DRx module 310) via thetransmission line 135. In some implementations, the controller 120 alsocontrols the gain of other components of the wireless device, such asamplifiers in the primary front-end module (FEM), based on the amplifiercontrol signal.

As noted above, in some implementations, the bandpass filters 323 a-323d are not included. Thus, in some implementations, at least one of thedownstream amplifiers 324 a-324 d are coupled to the output (of the DRxmodule 310) via the transmission line 135 without passing through adownstream bandpass filter.

FIG. 4A shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiverconfiguration 400 may include a diversity receiver (DRx) module 410having a plurality of bandpass filters 423 a-423 d disposed at theoutputs of a plurality of amplifiers 314 a-314 d. The diversity receiverconfiguration 400 includes a DRx module 410 having an input coupled toan antenna 140 and an output coupled to a transmission line 135. The DRxmodule 410 includes a number of paths between the input and the outputof the DRx module 410. Each of the paths include an input multiplexer311, a pre-amplifier bandpass filter 413 a-413 d, an amplifier 314 a-314d, a post-amplifier bandpass filter 423 a-423 d, and an outputmultiplexer 312.

The DRx controller 302 is configured to selectively activate one or moreof the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In someimplementations, the DRx controller 302 is configured to selectivelyactivate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selectsignal received by the DRx controller 302 (e.g., from a communicationscontroller). The DRx controller 302 may selectively activate the pathsby, for example, enabling or disabling the amplifiers 314 a-314 d,controlling the multiplexers 311, 312, or through other mechanisms.

The output of the DRx module 410 is passed, via the transmission line135, to a diversity RF module 420 which differs from the diversity RFmodule 320 of FIG. 3A in that the diversity RF module 420 of FIG. 4Adoes not include downstream bandpass filters. In some implementations(e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A), the downstream multiplexer 321 may beimplemented as a sample switch.

Including post-amplifier bandpass filters 423 a-423 d within the DRxmodule 410 rather than the diversity RF module 420 may provide a numberof advantages. For example, as described in detail below, such aconfiguration may improve the noise figure of the DRx module 410,simplify filter design, and/or improve path isolation.

Each of the paths of the DRx module 410 may be characterized by a noisefigure. The noise figure of each path is a representation of thedegradation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) caused by propagationalong the path. In particular, the noise figure of each path may beexpressed as the difference in decibels (dB) between the SNR at theinput of the pre-amplifier bandpass filter 413 a-413 d and the SNR atthe output of the post-amplifier bandpass filter 423 a-4234 b. The noisefigure of each path may be different for different frequency bands. Forexample, the first path may have an in-band noise figure for a firstfrequency band and an out-of-band noise figure for a second frequencyband. Similarly, the second path may have an in-band noise figure forthe second frequency band and an out-of-band noise figure for the firstfrequency band.

The DRx module 410 may also be characterized by a noise figure which maybe different for different frequency bands. In particular, the noisefigure of the DRx module 410 is the difference in dB between the SNR atthe input of the DRx module 410 and the SNR at the output of the DRxmodule 410.

Because the signal propagating along two paths are combined by theoutput multiplexer 312, out-of-band noise produced or amplified by anamplifier can negatively affect the combined signal. For example,out-of-band noise produced or amplified by the first amplifier 314 a mayincrease the noise figure of the DRx module 410 at the second frequency.Thus, the post-amplifier bandpass filter 423 a disposed along the pathmay reduce this out-of-band noise and decrease the noise figure of theDRx module 410 at the second frequency.

In some implementations, the pre-amplifier bandpass filters 413 a-413 dand post-amplifier bandpass filters 423 a-423 d may be designed to becomplementary, thereby simplifying filter design and/or achievingsimilar performance with fewer components at a decreased cost. Forexample, the post-amplifier bandpass filters 423 a disposed along thefirst path may more strongly attenuate frequencies that thepre-amplifier bandpass filter 413 a disposed along the first path moreweakly attenuates. As an example, the pre-amplifier bandpass filter 413a may attenuate frequencies below the first frequency band more thanfrequencies above the first frequency band. Complimentarily, thepost-amplifier bandpass filter 423 a may attenuate frequencies above thefirst frequency band more than frequencies below the first frequencyband. Thus, together, the pre-amplifier bandpass filter 413 a andpost-amplifier bandpass filter 423 a attenuate all out-of-bandfrequencies using fewer components. In general, one of the bandpassfilters disposed along a path can attenuate frequencies below therespective frequency band of the path more than frequencies above therespective frequency band and another of the bandpass filters disposedalong path can attenuate frequencies above the respective frequency bandmore than frequencies below the respective frequency band. Thepre-amplifier bandpass filters 413 a-413 d and post-amplifier bandpassfilters 423 a-423 d may be complimentary in other ways. For example, thepre-amplifier bandpass filters 413 a disposed along the first path mayphase-shift a signal by a number of degrees and the post-amplifierbandpass filter 423 a disposed along the first path may oppositelyphase-shift the signal the number of degrees.

In some implementations, the post-amplifier bandpass filters 423 a-423 dmay improve isolation of the paths. For example, without post-amplifierbandpass filters, a signal propagating along the first path may befiltered to the first frequency by the pre-amplifier bandpass filter 413a and amplified by the amplifier 314 a. The signal may leak through theoutput multiplexer 312 to reverse propagate along the second path andreflect off the amplifier 314 b, the pre-amplifier bandpass filter 413b, or other components disposed along the second path. If this reflectedsignal is out-of-phase with the initial signal, this may result in aweakening of the signal when combined by the output multiplexer 312. Incontrast, with post-amplifier bandpass filters, the leaked signal(primarily at the first frequency band) is attenuated by thepost-amplifier bandpass filter 423 b disposed along the second path andassociated with the second frequency band, reducing the effect of anyreflected signal.

Thus, the DRx module 410 includes a controller configured to selectivelyactivate one or more of a plurality of paths between an input of a firstmultiplexer (e.g., the input multiplexer 311) and an output of a secondmultiplexer (e.g., the output multiplexer 312). The DRx module 410further includes a plurality of amplifiers 314 a-314 d, each one of theplurality of amplifiers 314 a-314 d disposed along a corresponding oneof the plurality of paths and configured to amplify a signal received atthe amplifier. The DRx module 410 includes a first plurality of bandpassfilters (e.g., the post-amplifier bandpass filters 423 a-423 d), eachone of the first plurality of bandpass filters disposed along acorresponding one of the plurality of paths at an output of acorresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers 314 a-314 d andconfigured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to arespective frequency band. As shown in FIG. 4A, in some implementations,the DRx module 410 further includes a second plurality of bandpassfilters (e.g., the pre-amplifier bandpass filters 413 a-413 d), each oneof the second plurality of bandpass filters disposed along acorresponding one of the plurality of paths at an input of acorresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers 314 a-314 d andconfigured to filter a signal received at the bandpass filter to arespective frequency band.

FIG. 4B shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiverconfiguration 450 may include a diversity RF module 460 with feweramplifiers than a diversity receiver (DRx) module 410. As mentionedabove, in some implementations, a diversity RF module 460 may notinclude bandpass filters. Thus, in some implementations, one or moreamplifiers 424 of the diversity RF module 460 need not be band-specific.In particular, the diversity RF module 460 may include one or morepaths, each including an amplifier 424, that are not mapped 1-to-1 withthe paths of the DRx module 410. Such a mapping of paths (orcorresponding amplifiers) may be stored in the controller 120.

Accordingly, whereas the DRx module 410 includes a number of paths, eachcorresponding to a frequency band, the diversity RF module 460 mayinclude one or more paths (from the input of the diversity RF module 460to the input of the multiplexer 321) that do not correspond to a singlefrequency band.

In some implementations (as shown in FIG. 4B), the diversity RF module460 includes a single wide-band or tunable amplifier 424 that amplifiesthe signal received from the transmission line 135 and outputs anamplified signal to a multiplexer 321. The multiplexer 321 includes aplurality of multiplexer outputs, each corresponding to a respectivefrequency band. In some implementations, the multiplexer 321 may beimplemented as a sample switch. In some implementations, the diversityRF module 460 does not include any amplifiers.

In some implementations, the diversity signal is a single-band signal.Thus, in some implementations, the multiplexer 321 is asingle-pole/multiple-throw (SPMT) switch that routes the diversitysignal to one of the plurality of outputs corresponding to the frequencyband of the single-band signal based on a signal received from thecontroller 120. In some implementations, the diversity signal is amulti-band signal. Thus, in some implementations, the multiplexer 421 isa band splitter that routes the diversity signal to two or more of theplurality of outputs corresponding to the two or more frequency bands ofthe multi-band signal based on a splitter control signal received fromthe controller 120. In some implementations, diversity RF module 460 maybe combined with the transceiver 330 as a single module.

In some implementations, the diversity RF module 460 includes multipleamplifiers, each corresponding to a set of frequency bands. The signalfrom the transmission line 135 may be fed into a band splitter thatoutputs high frequencies along a first path to a high-frequencyamplifier and outputs low frequencies along a second path to alow-frequency amplifier. The output of each of the amplifiers may beprovided to the multiplexer 321 which is configured to route the signalto the corresponding inputs of the transceiver 330.

FIG. 5 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiverconfiguration 500 may include a DRx module 510 coupled to one or moreoff-module filters 513, 523. The DRx module 510 may include a packagingsubstrate 501 configured to receive a plurality of components and areceiving system implemented on the packaging substrate 501. The DRxmodule 510 may include one or more signal paths that are routed off theDRx module 510 and made available to a system integrator, designer, ormanufacturer to support filters for any desired band.

The DRx module 510 includes a number of paths between the input and theoutput of the DRx module 510. The DRx module 510 includes a bypass pathbetween the input and the output activated by a bypass switch 519controlled by the DRx controller 502. Although FIG. 5 illustrates asingle bypass switch 519, in some implementations, the bypass switch 519may include multiple switches (e.g., a first switch disposed physicallyclose to the input and a second switch disposed physically close to theoutput). As shown in FIG. 5, the bypass path does not include a filteror an amplifier.

The DRx module 510 includes a number of multiplexer paths including afirst multiplexer 511 and a second multiplexer 512. The multiplexerpaths include a number of on-module paths that include the firstmultiplexer 511, a pre-amplifier bandpass filter 413 a-413 d implementedon the packaging substrate 501, an amplifier 314 a-314 d implemented onthe packaging substrate 501, a post-amplifier bandpass filter 423 a-423d implemented on the packaging substrate 501, and the second multiplexer512. The multiplexer paths include one or more off-module paths thatinclude the first multiplexer 511, a pre-amplifier bandpass filter 513implemented off the packaging substrate 501, an amplifier 514, apost-amplifier bandpass filter 523 implemented off the packagingsubstrate 501, and the second multiplexer 512. The amplifier 514 may bea wide-band amplifier implemented on the packaging substrate 501 or mayalso be implemented off the packaging substrate 501. In someimplementations, one or more off-module paths do not include apre-amplifier bandpass filter 513, but do include a post-amplifierbandpass filter 523. As described above, the amplifiers 314 a-314 d, 514may be variable-gain amplifiers and/or variable-current amplifiers.

The DRx controller 502 is configured to selectively activate one or moreof the plurality of paths between the input and the output. In someimplementations, the DRx controller 502 is configured to selectivelyactivate one or more of the plurality of paths based on a band selectsignal received by the DRx controller 502 (e.g., from a communicationscontroller). The DRx controller 502 may selectively activate the pathsby, for example, opening or closing the bypass switch 519, enabling ordisabling the amplifiers 314 a-314 d, 514, controlling the multiplexers511, 512, or through other mechanisms. For example, the DRx controller502 may open or close switches along the paths (e.g., between thefilters 313 a-313 d, 513 and the amplifiers 314 a-314 d, 514) or bysetting the gain of the amplifiers 314 a-314 d, 514 to substantiallyzero.

FIG. 6 shows that in some embodiments, a diversity receiverconfiguration 600 may include a DRx module 610 with tunable matchingcircuits. In particular, the DRx module 610 may include one or moretunable matching circuits disposed at one or more of the input and theoutput of the DRx module 610.

Multiple frequency bands received on the same diversity antenna 140 areunlikely to all see an ideal impedance match. To match each frequencyband using a compact matching circuit, a tunable input matching circuit616 may be implemented at the input of the DRx module 610 and controlledby the DRx controller 602 (e.g., based on a band select signal from acommunications controller). The DRx controller 602 may tune the tunableinput matching circuit 616 based on a lookup table that associatesfrequency bands (or sets of frequency bands) with tuning parameters. Thetunable input matching circuit 616 may be a tunable T-circuit, a tunablePI-circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit. In particular, thetunable input matching circuit 616 may include one or more variablecomponents, such as resistors, inductors, and capacitors. The variablecomponents may be connected in parallel and/or in series and may beconnected between the input of the DRx module 610 and the input of thefirst multiplexer 311 or may be connected between the input of the DRxmodule 610 and a ground voltage.

Similarly, with only one transmission line 135 (or, at least, fewcables) carrying signals of many frequency bands, it is not likely thatmultiple frequency bands will all see an ideal impedance match. To matcheach frequency band using a compact matching circuit, a tunable outputmatching circuit 617 may be implemented at the output of the DRx module610 and controlled by the DRx controller 602 (e.g., based on a bandselect signal from a communications controller). The DRx controller 602may tune the tunable output matching circuit 618 based on a lookup tablethat associates frequency bands (or sets of frequency bands) with tuningparameters. The tunable output matching circuit 617 may be a tunableT-circuit, a tunable PI-circuit, or any other tunable matching circuit.In particular, the tunable output matching circuit 617 may include oneor more variable components, such as resistors, inductors, andcapacitors. The variable components may be connected in parallel and/orin series and may be connected between the output of the DRx module 610and the output of the second multiplexer 312 or may be connected betweenthe output of the DRx module 610 and a ground voltage.

FIG. 7 shows that in some embodiments, some or all of the diversityreceiver configurations (e.g., those shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 5, and 6)can be implemented, wholly or partially, in a module. Such a module canbe, for example, a front-end module (FEM). Such a module can be, forexample, a diversity receiver (DRx) FEM. In the example of FIG. 7, amodule 700 can include a packaging substrate 702, and a number ofcomponents can be mounted on such a packaging substrate 702. Forexample, a controller 704 (which may include a front-end powermanagement integrated circuit [FE-PIMC]), a low-noise amplifier assembly706 (which may include one or more variable-gain amplifiers), a matchcomponent 708 (which may include one or more tunable matching circuits),a multiplexer assembly 710, and a filter bank 712 (which may include oneor more pre-amplifier bandpass filters 713 and/or one or morepost-amplifier bandpass filters 723) can be mounted and/or implementedon and/or within the packaging substrate 702. Other components, such asa number of SMT devices 714, can also be mounted on the packagingsubstrate 702. Although all of the various components are depicted asbeing laid out on the packaging substrate 702, it will be understoodthat some component(s) can be implemented over other component(s).

In some implementations, a device and/or a circuit having one or morefeatures described herein can be included in an RF electronic devicesuch as a wireless device. Such a device and/or a circuit can beimplemented directly in the wireless device, in a modular form asdescribed herein, or in some combination thereof. In some embodiments,such a wireless device can include, for example, a cellular phone, asmart-phone, a hand-held wireless device with or without phonefunctionality, a wireless tablet, etc.

FIG. 8 depicts an example wireless device 800 having one or moreadvantageous features described herein. In the context of one or moremodules having one or more features as described herein, such modulescan be generally depicted by a dashed box 801 (which can be implementedas, for example, a front-end module), a diversity RF module 811 (whichcan be implemented as, for example, a downstream module), and adiversity receiver (DRx) module 700 (which can be implemented as, forexample, a front-end module)

Referring to FIG. 8, power amplifiers (PAs) 820 can receive theirrespective RF signals from a transceiver 810 that can be configured andoperated in known manners to generate RF signals to be amplified andtransmitted, and to process received signals. The transceiver 810 isshown to interact with a baseband sub-system 808 that is configured toprovide conversion between data and/or voice signals suitable for a userand RF signals suitable for the transceiver 810. The transceiver 810 canalso be in communication with a power management component 806 that isconfigured to manage power for the operation of the wireless device 800.Such power management can also control operations of the basebandsub-system 808 and the modules 801, 811, and 900.

The baseband sub-system 808 is shown to be connected to a user interface802 to facilitate various input and output of voice and/or data providedto and received from the user. The baseband sub-system 808 can also beconnected to a memory 804 that is configured to store data and/orinstructions to facilitate the operation of the wireless device, and/orto provide storage of information for the user.

In the example wireless device 800, outputs of the PAs 820 are shown tobe matched (via respective match circuits 822) and routed to theirrespective duplexers 824. Such amplified and filtered signals can berouted to a primary antenna 816 through an antenna switch 814 fortransmission. In some embodiments, the duplexers 824 can allow transmitand receive operations to be performed simultaneously using a commonantenna (e.g., primary antenna 816). In FIG. 8, received signals areshown to be routed to “Rx” paths that can include, for example, alow-noise amplifier (LNA).

The wireless device also includes a diversity antenna 826 and adiversity receiver module 700 that receives signals from the diversityantenna 826. The diversity receiver module 700 processes the receivedsignals and transmits the processed signals via a transmission line 835to a diversity RF module 811 that further processes the signal beforefeeding the signal to the transceiver 810.

One or more features of the present disclosure can be implemented withvarious cellular frequency bands as described herein. Examples of suchbands are listed in Table 1. It will be understood that at least some ofthe bands can be divided into sub-bands. It will also be understood thatone or more features of the present disclosure can be implemented withfrequency ranges that do not have designations such as the examples ofTable 1.

TABLE 1 Tx Frequency Range Rx Frequency Range Band Mode (MHz) (MHz) B1FDD 1,920-1,980 2,110-2,170 B2 FDD 1,850-1,910 1,930-1,990 B3 FDD1,710-1,785 1,805-1,880 B4 FDD 1,710-1,755 2,110-2,155 B5 FDD 824-849869-894 B6 FDD 830-840 875-885 B7 FDD 2,500-2,570 2,620-2,690 B8 FDD880-915 925-960 B9 FDD 1,749.9-1,784.9 1,844.9-1,879.9 B10 FDD1,710-1,770 2,110-2,170 B11 FDD 1,427.9-1,447.9 1,475.9-1,495.9 B12 FDD699-716 729-746 B13 FDD 777-787 746-756 B14 FDD 788-798 758-768 B15 FDD1,900-1,920 2,600-2,620 B16 FDD 2,010-2,025 2,585-2,600 B17 FDD 704-716734-746 B18 FDD 815-830 860-875 B19 FDD 830-845 875-890 B20 FDD 832-862791-821 B21 FDD 1,447.9-1,462.9 1,495.9-1,510.9 B22 FDD 3,410-3,4903,510-3,590 B23 FDD 2,000-2,020 2,180-2,200 B24 FDD 1,626.5-1,660.51,525-1,559 B25 FDD 1,850-1,915 1,930-1,995 B26 FDD 814-849 859-894 B27FDD 807-824 852-869 B28 FDD 703-748 758-803 B29 FDD N/A 716-728 B30 FDD2,305-2,315 2,350-2,360 B31 FDD 452.5-457.5 462.5-467.5 B33 TDD1,900-1,920 1,900-1,920 B34 TDD 2,010-2,025 2,010-2,025 B35 TDD1,850-1,910 1,850-1,910 B36 TDD 1,930-1,990 1,930-1,990 B37 TDD1,910-1,930 1,910-1,930 B38 TDD 2,570-2,620 2,570-2,620 B39 TDD1,880-1,920 1,880-1,920 B40 TDD 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,400 B41 TDD2,496-2,690 2,496-2,690 B42 TDD 3,400-3,600 3,400-3,600 B43 TDD3,600-3,800 3,600-3,800 B44 TDD 703-803 703-803

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled”, as generally usedherein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directlyconnected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Wherethe context permits, words in the above Description using the singularor plural number may also include the plural or singular numberrespectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items,that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: anyof the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and anycombination of the items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, whileprocesses or blocks are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems havingblocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may bedeleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each ofthese processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of differentways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as beingperformed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performedin parallel, or may be performed at different times.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

While some embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in theform of the methods and systems described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims andtheir equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications aswould fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A diversity receiver configuration comprising: adiversity receiver (DRx) module configured to receive a diversitysignal; a first DRx multiplexer configured to direct the diversitysignal along at least one of a plurality of DRx paths; a plurality ofpre-amplifier bandpass filters, individual pre-amplifier bandpassfilters disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of DRxpaths; a plurality of DRx amplifiers, individual DRx amplifiers disposedalong a corresponding one of the plurality of DRx paths; a plurality ofpost-amplifier bandpass filters, individual post-amplifier bandpassfilters disposed along a corresponding one of the plurality of DRxpaths; and a second DRx multiplexer configured to receive amplified andfiltered signals from the plurality of post-amplifier bandpass filtersand to provide an output DRx signal; a diversity radio frequency (DRF)module configured to receive the output DRx signal; a downstreamamplifier configured to amplify the output DRx signal; and a downstreammultiplexer configured to receive the amplified output DRx signal and tooutput a plurality of DRF signals for transmission to a transceiver; anda controller configured to communicate with the DRx module and with theDRF module, the controller configured to control an amount of gainprovided by the downstream amplifier and the plurality of DRXamplifiers.
 2. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the DRF module doesnot include downstream bandpass filters.
 3. The configuration of claim 1wherein the downstream amplifier comprises a wide-band amplifier.
 4. Theconfiguration of claim 1 wherein the downstream amplifier comprises atunable amplifier.
 5. The configuration of claim 1 wherein each of theplurality of DRx paths corresponds to a single frequency band and theDRF path does not correspond to a single frequency band.
 6. Theconfiguration of claim 1 wherein individual DRF outputs correspond toparticular frequency bands.
 7. The configuration of claim 1 wherein thediversity signal is a single-band signal and the downstream multiplexeris configured to direct the amplified output DRx signal to a particularDRF output that corresponds to a frequency band of the diversity signalbased on a control signal received from the controller.
 8. Theconfiguration of claim 1 wherein the diversity signal is a multi-bandsignal having two or more frequency bands and the downstream multiplexeris configured to route the amplified output DRx signal to two or more ofthe plurality of DRF outputs corresponding to the two or more frequencybands of the multi-band signal based on a control signal received fromthe controller.
 9. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the DRF modulefurther includes a splitter configured to receive the output DRx signaland to output high frequencies along a first path to a high-frequencyamplifier and to output low frequencies along a second path to thedownstream amplifier.
 10. The configuration of claim 9 wherein an outputfrom the high-frequency amplifier and an output from the downstreamamplifier is routed by the downstream multiplexer to a correspondinginput of the transceiver.
 11. The configuration of claim 1 wherein thecontroller is configured to reduce the amount of gain provided by thedownstream amplifier in response to increasing the amount of gainprovided by the plurality of DRx amplifiers.
 12. The configuration ofclaim 1 wherein the DRx module further includes a DRx controllerconfigured to receive controller commands from the controller and tocommand components of the DRx module.
 13. The configuration of claim 8wherein the DRx controller receives signals from the controller and,based on the received signals, selectively activates one or more of theplurality of DRx paths.
 14. The configuration of claim 1 whereinindividual DRx amplifiers are narrowband amplifiers configured toamplify a signal within a respective frequency band.
 15. Theconfiguration of claim 1 wherein the DRx module further includes abypass path configured to provide a path from the input to the outputthat does not include a filter or an amplifier.
 16. A wireless devicecomprising: a diversity antenna configured to receive a diversity signalincluding data modulated onto multiple frequency bands; a diversityreceiver (DRx) module configured to receive a diversity signal; a firstDRx multiplexer configured to direct the diversity signal along at leastone of a plurality of DRx paths; a plurality of pre-amplifier bandpassfilters, individual pre-amplifier bandpass filters disposed along acorresponding one of the plurality of DRx paths; a plurality of DRxamplifiers, individual DRx amplifiers disposed along a corresponding oneof the plurality of DRx paths; a plurality of post-amplifier bandpassfilters, individual post-amplifier bandpass filters disposed along acorresponding one of the plurality of DRx paths; and a second DRxmultiplexer configured to receive amplified and filtered signals fromthe plurality of post-amplifier bandpass filters and to provide anoutput DRx signal; a diversity radio frequency (DRF) module configuredto receive the output DRx signal; a downstream amplifier configured toamplify the output DRx signal; and a downstream multiplexer configuredto receive the amplified output DRx signal and to output a plurality ofDRF signals; a controller configured to communicate with the DRx moduleand with the DRF module, the controller configured to control an amountof gain provided by the downstream amplifier and the plurality of DRXamplifiers; and a transceiver configured to receive the plurality of DRFsignals.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein the controller is configuredto reduce the amount of gain provided by the downstream amplifier inresponse to increasing the amount of gain provided by the plurality ofDRx amplifiers.
 18. The device of claim 16 wherein the DRF module doesnot include downstream bandpass filters.
 19. The device of claim 16wherein each of the plurality of DRx paths corresponds to a singlefrequency band and the DRF path does not correspond to a singlefrequency band.
 20. The device of claim 16 wherein individual DRFoutputs correspond to particular frequency bands.